A shot in the arm for sailors before SEA Games competition

Kamaruzaman (right) talking to the sailors during their training session at the National Sailing Centre. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

SINGAPORE: National sailing team received a boost ahead of the SEA Games competition with a S$9,500 (RM26,226) incentive from their sponsors, Jcorp.

Though the amount may be small, it means a lot for the sailors who will begin competition on Saturday.

Each sailor received S$250 (RM690) as an incentive from JCorp president and CEO Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim at the Singapore National Sailing Centre.

Kamaruzzaman, who is also the Malaysian Sailing Association (MSA) president, said that the incentive for the 38-member sailing team, including the coaches and officials, was a gesture of JCorp’s support.

Khairulnizam Mohd Affendy, who won the Laser standard gold medal in the Myanmar Games in 2013, said that “the sailors are thankful for the support and the incentive will fire us to achieve glory in Singapore”.

“It’s good to have your efforts appreciated ... this will certainly boost our morale to do better and win medals for the country,” said Khairulnizam.

Commenting on his gold medal defence, the 22-year-old Olympian admitted that “there’s pressure on me to win the gold again”.

“The wind here keeps changing directions and there are too many ships anchored around the vicinity ... but I’m ready. We have a good chance of winning a medal from this event,” he said.

“I need to get a head start and then, hopefully, hold on to my lead in the remaining races. We have a small fleet for the SEA Games and I think that gives me an advantage.” 

The Star